Floating deck



Nov. 5, 1968 1.. c. CREITH 3,409,165

FLOATING DECK Original Filed Oct. 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

2 LOU C. CRE/TH WM .iwam

ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1968 L. c. CREITH 3,409,165

FLOATING DECK Original Filed Oct. 29, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LOU c. CHE/TH BYWMZMM ATTORNEY United States 3,409,165 FLOATING DECK Lou C. Crelth, Allentown, Pa., assignor. to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Continuation of application Ser. No. 407,372, Oct, 29, 1964. This application Apr. 3, 1967, Ser. No..628,162 15 Claims. (Cl. 220-26) f j j j a vertical pole through the opening. I

This application is a continuation of application, Ser. No. 407,372, filed Oct. 29, 1964. v

This invention relates to a floating deck for use within a liquid storage tank, and more particularly to a'novel seal for a pole passing therethrough.

Floating decks of many types and forms have been proposed and used in tanks designed for the'storage of various liquids. Such decks float horizontally on the surface of the liquid in the tank and move downwardly with the surface as the liquid is removed from the tank. Thus, protection is afforded for any liquid which is aifected by the presence of air. For example, evaporation ofsuch liquids as petroleum distillate and crude petroleum is materially reduced, thus resulting in a reduction in the risk of fire and explosion; as well as in a substantial cost saving due to the decreased evaporation losses. Merely exemplary of such a floating deck is th'at described in detail in US. Patent 3,104,775,'issued Sept. 24, "1963, to Champagnat.

However, it has become evident that many tanks for which such floating decks are desirable areprovided with one or more vertical poles on the interior of thetank. Accordingly, some provision must be made for those portions of the floating deck through which such poles pass; evaporation losses near such deck portions must be held to a minimum to maintain the desired advantages of "a floating deck. In addition, any seal used at such an area must provide for possible misalignment of the vertical poles. That is, such poles are often notprecisely perpendicular to the tank floor; hence, theseals must be so designed as not to bind the horizontal deck as it ascends ordescends along the poles.

According to this invention there is provided a diaphragm which sealingly engages the pole or column passing through the floating deck. Such diaphragm is spaced above the surface Olf the liquid to be protected by means of a cylindrical section surrounding the pole or column, for reasons to become evident. A shroud surroundsthe metal cylindrical section connecting the diaphragm to the floating deck, and a lower ring penetrates the liquid below the floating deck, thereby preventing further vapor escapages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal for a floating deck employed in tanks having vertical poles. v I

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a seal which will not impede the motion of the deck as it travels along a pole which may be slightly misaligned.

Further objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a description proceeds of a specific embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

ice

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view. of a stor age tank embodying the instant invention; I

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the instant device along the line II 1IofFIGURE 1; 1 l

FIGURE 3 is a v'e w similar to FIGURE the device on a pole which is misaligned; 1; FIGURE 4 is a view similar tojFIGURE. 3 showing another possible position of the device on a misaligned.

pole. QInFIGU REl there is illustrated a conventional stor-, age tank 1 having stored therein aliquid 2. At 3 there is' illustrated avertical column orh'poleg only. one such: column or pole is illustrated, but it is tobeunderstood that any number-of such vertical elements maybe pro-', vided in the tank, a'ccording'to design need. Situated in the tank is a floating deck 4, of'anyof the known types.

As now k Qwll iri the art, deck 4 will descend with the surface of the liquid 2 as quantities of liquid are removed. Apertures must, of"course, b'e provided in the deck 4 through which the pole 3 may pass, and according to this invention there is provided in the floating deck 4 at the area of the pole 3 a seal of the present invention identified generally as 5. I

The seal is shown in detail in FIGURE 2, which is a cross-section taken along the line II-II shown in FIG- URE 1. Situated around the aperture in the deck 4 through which the pole 3 passes is a first cylindrical sleeve 5 which may be of metal, and a second cylindrical sleeve 6, which may be of metal or some other material essentially impervious to the stored product and to the passage of vapors. Sleeves 5 and 6 are joined to the deck 4 as at 7 in any suitable manner, as for example, by rivets. As can be seen, sleeve 6 penetrates the surface of the liquid and thus seals off the space within the instant device from the surrounding space between the surface of the liquid 2 and the underside of the deck 4. This space, identified generally by 17 maycontain vapors, but by virtue of sleeve 6, such vapors are prevented from escaping through the instant seal device.

Atop the sleeve member 5, as on a flange 9 thereof, rests apair of annular rings '8 and 11 between which is clamped a diaphragm 10 of a pliable, essentially impervious coated fabric or other resilient natural or synthetic material. The diaphragm 10 is apertured centrally thereof in a configuration to sealingly engage the pole 3, and is securely held between the rings 8 and 11 by suitable fas teners 12 having a lowprojection on the underside of ring 8, for reasons to become evident. Secured between the annular rings 8 and his one end of a substantially cylindrical shroud 13, secured by similar suitable fastening means 14.- As shown, the shroud 13 surrounds the sleeve 5, and is attached at its opposite end to'deck 4 as by fasteners 15. To ensure a more positive seal, an annular ring 16 may be provided at the connection of shroud 13 to deck 4, if so desired.

Thus, it will be evident from the above description that the diaphragm 10 and its supporting rings 8 and 11 arefree to move'horizontally with respect to the sleeve 5 should the pole 3 be slightly misaligned, for example as shown in FIGURE 3 or to tip so as to be at an angle to the plane of flange 9, for example as shown in FIGURE 4. The misalignment of pole 3, as represented by the angle 18, depicted in FIGURE '3 and FIG- URE 4 is exaggerated for sake of clarity.

The shroud 13, which is of a flexible construction such as an impervious coated fabric, is of a suflicient length to allow for the sliding or tipping of the diaphragm 10 and rings 8 and 11. As noted previously, the fasteners 12 and 14 have low projection on the underside so as not to impede the motion of rings 8 and 11 across flange 9. While allowing for free movement of the diaphragm 10, the shroud 13 also serves to prevent any loss of vapor from between the flange 9 and ring 8 when these elements may become separated. Thus, as deck 4 moves downwardly, the diaphragm 10 and supporting rings 8 and 11 may become spaced from the flange 9 or such a space may result from the tipping depictedin FIGURE 4; however, the presence of shroud 13 prevents any loss of vapor through-this space to the space above the deck 4 and also serves to pull the diaphragm 10 and supporting rings 8 and 11 down as the deck moves downward. a

By the structure above described, it is evident that important advantages are obtained. But for the instant device, an area around the pole 3 would be open to the air above the deck 4 and hence the undesiredevaporation could take place in such an area. In the instant device, however, the diaphragm 10 sealingly engagesthe pole 3 and prevents such evaporation. It is to be noted that while thepole '3 is shown as being cylindrical, the pole maychave any desired configuration and the diaphragm would be accordingly apertured to match this configuration. By virtue of the cylindrical member 5, the diaphragm 10 isspaced above the surface of the liquid 2, thus allowing for free movement of the diaphragm 10 substantially unimpeded by deck 4, ensuring that shroud 13 is not trapped between the diaphragm 10 and any stationary member on the deck, and preventing direct liquid losses through the diaphragm.

Although this invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, various changes will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiment except as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A floating deck for use in liquid storage tanks having at least one vertical pole therein, comprising:

(a) a horizontal deck member adapted to float on the surface of the enclosed liquid and having an aperture therein to receive a substantially vertical pole passing therethrough,

(b) a sleeve member surrounding said aperture and joined to said deck member on the upper side thereof,

(c) a diaphragm supported by said sleeve member and having an aperture to sealingly receive said pole,

(d) a flexible shroud member encasing said sleeve member, and joining said diaphragm to said deck member,

whereby said diaphragm may move with respect to said deck member independently on said pole.

2. A floating deck for use in liquid storage tanks having at least one vertical pole therein, comprising:

(a) a horizontal deck member adapted to float on the surface of the enclosed liquid and having an aperture therein to receive a substantially vertical pole passing therethrough,

(b) a first sleeve member surrounding said aperture and joined to said deck member on the upper side thereof,

' (c) a diaphragm supported by said first sleeve member and having an aperture to sealingly receive said pole,

(d) a flexible shroud member encasing said first sleeve member, and joining said diaphragm to said deck member,

(e) a second sleeve member joined to and projecting from the lower side of said deck member for penetration of the liquid surface therebelow, said second sleeve member surrounding said aperture,

whereby said diaphragm may move with respect to said deck member independently on said pole.

3. A floating deck according to claim 2 for use in liquid storage tanks having more than one vertical pole therein in which said horizontal deck member has an aperture to receive each vertical pole in said storage tank and in which the items B, C, D, and E in claim 2 are provided for each vertical pole and aperture-in the hori-' zontal deck.

4; A floating deck according to claim 2 in which said first sleeve is flanged at an'upper portion "to receive said diaphragm. i

- 5. A floating deck according to claim 2 in which additional sealing means are provided to seal said shroud to said deck. i A floating deck according-to claim 2 in which at least one supporting ring is affixed to said diaphragm;

7. A floating deck'according'to claim 6 in-which supporting rings are aflixed to both sides of said diaphragm.

8. A floating deck according to claim 7 in whichsaid first sleeve is flanged at an upper portion to receivethe lower supporting ring. I 1

9; A floating deck according to claim 7 in which fasteners areused to secure said supporting rings to 'said diaphragm, saidvfasteners having a low projection'onthe underside of the lower supporting ring.

10-. A'floating deck for use in liquid storage tanks hav= ing at least one vertical pole therein, comprising:

(a) a'horizontal deck member adapted to float on th surface of the enclosed liquid and having an aperture therein to receive a substantially'vertical pole passing therethrough, e

(b) a first sleeve member surrounding said aperture and joined to said deck member on the upper side thereof,

(c) a second sleeve member joined to and projecting from the lower side' of said deck member for penetration of the liquid surface therebelow, said second sleeve member surrounding said aperture,

(d) a diaphragm supported by said first sleeve member and having an aperture to sealingly receive said pole,

(e) at least one supporting ring clampingly engaging said diaphragm and beingconcentric therewith, whereby said diaphragm may move with respect to said deck member independently on said pole.

11. A floating deck according to claim 10 for use in liquid storage tanks having more than one vertical pole therein in which said horizontal deck member has an aperture to receive each vertical pole and in which items (b), (c), (d) and (e) in claim 10 are provided for each vertical pole and aperture in the horizontal deck.

- 12. A floating deck according to claim 10 in which said first sleeve has a radially, outwardly directed flang e atits upper portion upon which an area adjacent the periphery of said diaphragm and supporting ring'rests.

13. A floating deck for use in liquid storage tanks having at least one vertical pole therein, comprising:

(a) a horizontal deck member adapted to float on the surface of the enclosed liquid and having an aperture therein to receive a substantially vertical pole passing therethrough,

(b) a first sleeve member surrounding said aperture and joined to said deck member on the upper side thereof,

(c) a second sleeve member joined to and projecting from the lower side of said deck member for penetration of the liquid surface therebelow, said second sleeve member surrounding said aperture,

(d) a diaphragm supported by said first sleeve member and having an aperture to sealingly receive said pole,

(e) supporting rings clampingly engaging said diaphragm on the upper and lower surfaces of said diaphragm, said rings being concentric with said diaphragm,

whereby said diaphragm may move with respect to said deck member independently on said pole.

14. A floating deck according to claim 13 in which said first sleeve has a radially, outwardly directed flange at its upper portion upon which an area adjacent the periphery of said lower supporting ring rests.

15. A floating deck according to claim 14 in which fasteners having a 'low projection on the underside of the lower supporting ring are used to secure said supporting rings to said diaphragm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1923 Kuefler 220-26 10 6 6/1928 Glass 220-26 8/1938 De Castro 220-26 1/1943 Jayne 220-26 4/1960 Wiggins 220-26 5/1962 Fino 220-26 FOREIGN PATENTS 6/ 1961 France.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. J. R. GARRETT, Assistant Examiner. 

